Page 67 of Made to Be

And we hadn’t even gone all the way yet.

Not that I didn’t think about it an unhealthy amount every single day. I wasn’t exactly sure what we were waiting for, but both of us were simply tiptoeing the line, dancing with each other, seeing just how far we could go before the other would take the final step.

Neither of us did, though. And the angst was both a sweet torture and the most painful pleasure. Like reading a book where the characters verbally edged each other for three hundred pages before they actually fucked.

But those were my favorite kinds of stories. I couldn’t help it; I was a bit of an emotional masochist.

Cam baked for me every day. And I wasn’t just saying it when I said he was damn good at it. Professional grade even. With those skills of his, I didn’t see how he would have any trouble opening up his own bakery and it being a success.

Each night before bed, we curled up together for a movie. He liked scary movies but preferred romances, and he was a sucker for anything animated. He loved fantasy books and reading manga, especially anythingboy’s love. “BL” and “Yaoi” he called it. After introducing me, it was quickly becoming my new favorite genre.

Surprisingly, Cam was also a blanket hog. Even with his own room, he still preferred to sleep in bed with me. I had no objections and slept so soundly in his arms tucked against his big, warm body. But I had taken to keeping two blankets on the bed for when he inevitably stole mine and burritoed himself up like an adorable, giant caterpillar.

Cam loved going on walks while holding my hand and talking about anything and everything: places he wanted to visit someday, things he wanted to do... He even began sprinkling in stuff about his family and his childhood.

His favorite season was fall because he loved the colors and he could wear jackets and scarves. I had given him my favorite gray plaid wool scarf, and it seemed to be his new cherished possession. Aside from all the plants I had brought back to life for him now decorating the windowsill in the kitchen, my office, and the living room. He was currently bundled up in it now as we walked down the side of the quiet, peaceful road hand in hand.

Cam was quickly and seamlessly becoming woven into the very thread of my life, leaving little parts of himself all over our newly shared space. It warmed my heart and filled in the cracks.

His favorite color was red, but not bright red. More like a warm burgundy. Just like the color decorating the trees above our heads, the varied shades fluttering down around us in a colorful shower.

He preferred sweet to spicy and cats over dogs. He’d admitted that he chose to ride a motorcycle over driving a car because he loved the freedom it brought him. That and he’d never been able to afford a car.

Every new thing I learned about him only made us grow closer. Even after knowing him for only two weeks, my heart recognized him as if we’d known each other our whole lives, as corny as that sounded. I felt closer to him than any of my past exes, even Ron. Not that I ever wanted to compare the two, because Cam was... he was so muchmore.

However, my favorite thing I learned about him was that helovedcuddling. Cam was a very touchy-feely guy, and I just knew that his love language was physical touch and affection for how he couldn’t seem to keep his hands off me. When we were sitting on the sofa, his hand was in mine. When we were cooking, his hands always found my waist. When we were in bed, his lips sought out my own.

It was kind of scary how quickly I had grown accustomed to Cam’s presence and his near constant touch.

It wasn’t just the good things I learned about him, though. He’d also told me more and more about his past and his time spent as a delinquent.

He’d never physically hurt anyone, for which I was greatly relieved, but his past choices had hurt himself. And his family. It had caused a rift between them that he had worked so hard to mend. Only for them to be so traumatically ripped away from him.

My heart ached for him, and I knew that if I could take that pain from him, I would. Which was something new and enlightening I had learned about myself. I knew that if it meant Cam’s happiness, I would do anything, endure anything. For him. Maybe these were my bad habits dying hard, but who cared if it meant I got to see Cam’s bright smile aimed directly at me.

We’d talked to Alice too. About if she possibly knew anyone that could get Cam a new identity.

We had met with her just yesterday to get his new records: birth certificate, social security card, passport, driver’s license, the whole shebang. I could still remember the rather chaotic meeting vividly.

“Oh! I forgot to tell you,” she’d told me, “I originally thought about just negating his death certificate. But, because he was pronounced dead at the scene, there wasn’t much I could do. It would raise suspicions if I tried to void the documents now, especially with what’s going on lately. But Mandy’s brother knows a guy!” The classic saying had nearly made me snort with laughter. She had been so excited, and I had grown so profoundly grateful to her. For being my best friend and for bringing Cam into my life. “He’s a bit of a morally gray witch and he uses his magic for some… interesting things. So, I went ahead and pulled my favor card. Cam has a new ID, kept his name, but anything pertaining to the old Camden Hawkins has been basically wiped clean. He no longer has a criminal record or any debts either. That’s good news for him, am I right?”

I smiled fondly at the memory. It all meant that Cam could begin rebuilding his life with a fresh start. And I would be right by his side to help him every step of the way.

“What are you thinking about?” Cam asked me, surprising me from my wandering thoughts.

I turned to look at him and reached up to pluck a stray leaf from his hair.

“Just wishing I had a few more days off with you.”

He grinned down at me. “I know. What ever will I do without you to keep me company? It seems Sylvia and I will become the best of friends.”

“Sylvia?” My brow quirked.

“The ghost.”

I spluttered out a laugh, “She told you her name?” My tone was completely scandalized. I was, well, I was insulted, really.

“What, jealous?” he teased and my jaw dropped.